Movie Name : A.R.M
Release Date : September 12, 2024
Cast : Tovino Thomas, Krithi Shetty, Aishwarya Rajesh, Surabhi Lakshmi, Basil Joseph, Harish Uttaman, Madhupal, Rohini, Parvathi, Kabir Duhan Singh, Aju Varghese etc.
Director : Jithin Laal
Music Director : Dhibu Ninan Thomas
Telugumopo.com Rating : 2.5/5
Story:
Ajay (Tovino Thomas) works as an electrician in a village in Kerala, but the villagers are wary of him due to his grandfather Maniyan (also played by Tovino Thomas), who stole a valuable and powerful lamp from the local temple. Despite this, Ajay is loved by the beautiful Lekshmi (Krithi Shetty), the daughter of Chattutti Nambiar (Nistar Sait), who opposes their relationship.
Amidst this backdrop, Sudev (Harish Utthaman), a descendant of the Royal Clan, arrives in search of the powerful lamp. The story unfolds with connections to the legendary warrior Kunjikelu (Tovino Thomas), and explores the roles of Ajay’s mother Sarojam (Rohini), Maniyan’s wife Manikyam (Surabhi Lakshmi), SI Saifuddeen (Aju Verghese), Suresh (Basil Joseph), as well as the warrior Kunjikelu’s lover Jyothi (Aishwarya Rajesh) and Edakkal King Mana Varma (Madhupal).
Review:
Tovino Thomas delivered outstanding performances across three roles. As the royal warrior who rescues the king, he exuded a regal presence and commanded attention. In his portrayal of the thief Maniyan, he showcased a range of expressions and made a striking impression. As Ajay, he adeptly navigated different situations, portraying a loving partner, a son enduring societal insults silently, and a figure of courage when facing challenges.
Krithi Shetty delivers a decent performance in her role, though her character has limited scope for depth. Similarly, Aishwarya Lekshmi is restricted to just one scene, and Surabhi Lakshmi appears in only a couple of scenes. However, Rohini stands out, making an impact with her emotional portrayal of a mother.
Nistar Sait is effective in his role as the influential village figure, while Harish Utthaman is decent as the determined character seeking the treasure. Kabir Duhan Singh and the rest of the cast deliver performances that suit their respective roles well.
The film opens with an intriguing premise, and the screenplay keeps the audience engaged in several scenes. Lal effectively intertwines the different aspects of the story, generating a sense of mystery and suspense. However, the pacing slows down due to a lack of momentum, leading to extended sequences that can test the viewer’s patience.
While Tovino Thomas excels with a compelling performance, the supporting cast doesn’t get enough opportunity to shine, as their roles are quite limited. The movie could have been improved with a more briskly paced script, a clearer focus on the main storyline, and fewer distracting romantic subplots.
Despite its weaknesses, A.R.M stands out for its strong technical elements. Dibhu Ninan Thomas’s background score enriches the scenes, bringing emotional weight to the narrative. Joman T John’s stunning cinematography adds to the film’s visual splendor, and the VFX and CGI are executed at a high level. While Shameer Muhammed’s editing is sufficient, a more refined approach could have improved the film’s overall pace.
Overall, A.R.M showcases Tovino Thomas’s talents and elevates his role to impressive new levels. Director Jithin Lal presents an engaging story with a compelling premise, but the film is held back by an uninspired screenplay and slow pacing. Although the narrative has promise, a more refined script and a quicker pace could have enhanced the film’s impact. With these improvements, A.R.M might have achieved greater success.
